Photosynthetic acclimation of shade-grown red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings to a high light environment

Photosynthetic light acclimation in red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings was examined in a greenhouse study to better understand the physiological response of this species to increased light intensity following release from competition. Seedlings grown in a high (HL), medium (ML) or low (LL) light environment for 12 weeks were transferred to high light. Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of ML and LL seedlings were measured prior to and following transfer and compared with the HL control treatment. Photosynthetic characteristics were related to initial light treatment and time after transfer. Acclimation of gas exchange features to high light in shade formed ML and LL foliage was relatively rapid, with similar values among light treatments within 57 days of transfer. Acclimation of net photosynthetic rate was similar in ML and LL seedlings, and was associated primarily with increased mesophyll conductance to CO₂. The ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m) decreased initially after transfer, especially in LL seedlings, but recovered to normal values after 57 days. Red pine seedlings appear to be well adapted for photosynthetic acclimation to high light intensity, consistent with that reported for other early successional tree species.     

鸡传染性法氏囊病毒JS株毒力测定

35日龄SPF鸡半数致死量(LD50)和9日龄SPF鸡胚半数致死量(ELD50)试验结果显示,传染性法氏囊病毒(1BDV)JS株的LD50为10-3.60.1 mL/只,ELD50为10-5.20.1 mL/胚;1～6周龄SPF鸡及商品鸡的致病性试验结果显示,IBDV JS株对SPF鸡和商品鸡3周龄后的致病率为100%,最高致死率分别为93.75%和75%;应用RT-PCR方法从IBDV JS株中扩增的VP2基因,经序列测定分析结果显示,IBDV JS株的VP2基因与香港HK46、日本OKYM、英国UK661等国际超强毒株的氨基酸序列的同源性达99%以上.表明IBDV JS株为超强毒株.     

Racing performance after combined prosthetic laryngoplasty and ipsilateral ventriculocordectomy or partial arytenoidectomy: 135 Thoroughbred racehorses competing at less than 2400 m (1997–2007)

Reasons for performing study: The success of combined prosthetic laryngoplasty with ipsilateral ventriculocordectomy (LPVC) has not been compared to that of partial arytenoidectomy (PA) in a clinical population. Hypotheses: In Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses: 1) earnings after LPVC are unaffected by the severity of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) (laryngeal grade III vs. grade IV); 2) LPVC and PA yield similar results in the treatment of grade III RLN; 3) performance outcome following PA is independent of diagnosis (RLN vs. unilateral arytenoid chondritis [UAC]); and 4) neither LPVC nor PA returns horses to the level of performance of controls. Methods: Medical and racing records of 135 TB racehorses undergoing LPVC or PA for the treatment of grade III or IV RLN or UAC were reviewed. Racing records of age and sex matched controls were also reviewed. Results: After LPVC, horses with grade III RLN performed better compared to those with grade IV RLN. Furthermore, horses treated for grade III RLN by LPVC showed post operative earnings comparable to controls. Rate of return to racing were similar for PA and LPVC, although LPVC resulted in higher post operative earnings. Performance after PA was similar regardless of diagnosis (UAC or RLN). Finally, neither LPVC when performed for grade IV RLN, nor PA performed for either diagnosis restored post operative earnings to control levels. Conclusions: Thoroughbred racehorses treated by LPVC for grade III RLN show significantly better post operative earnings compared to horses treated for grade IV disease. In grade III RLN, LPVC returns earning potential to control levels. PA and LPVC lead to similar success in terms of rate of return to racing, but PA leads to inferior earnings after surgery. Potential relevance: Laryngoplasty should be recommended for all TB racehorses with grade III RLN to maximise return to racing at a high level. This contradicts the common approach of waiting for complete paralysis.     

Influence of organic phosphorus on reproductive performance and metabolic profiles of anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics at the end of breeding season

The effect of organic phosphorus on metabolic, haematological and hormonal status, restoration of ovarian functions and conception rate in anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics were evaluated. Anoestrous Farafra ewes (n  = 24; 34.72 ± 0.52 kg body weight) were allocated into two equal groups: control and phosphorus groups. The ewes of phosphorus group were treated with sodium 4‐dimethylamino‐2‐methyl‐phenyl‐phosphonate as an organic bound phosphorous twice a week for successive 3 weeks. Ovarian follicle development and corpora lutea were checked three times a week till occurrence of oestrus using ultrasonography while pregnancy was confirmed at 30 days post‐service. Plasma metabolites, reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones and minerals were detected at weeks ?2, ?1, 0 (mating day) and + 4 weeks post‐oestrus. Phosphorus group had significantly (p  < .05) short interval to oestrous resumption if compared to control ewes (2.1 ± 0.8 weeks vs . 4.6 ± 1.1 weeks). In addition, phosphorous supplementation significantly (p  < .05) increased the number of antral follicles (developed and their sizes in addition to sizes of corpora lutea (8.72 ± 0.3 mm vs . 7.46 ± 0.9 mm) as well. Number of services per conception (2.6 vs . 1.4; p  < .01) was higher in control group than that of phosphorus group. Pregnancy rate (80 vs . 50%) was significantly (p  < .01) higher in phosphorus group when compared to control. White blood cells in treated ewes (10.8 ± 0.44; p  < .05) and monocytes (2.93 ± 0.13; p  < .01) were higher than that of control group (white blood cells; 9.53 ± 0.50 and monocytes; 2.24 ± 0.14). Metabolic parameters did not differ between phosphorus and control groups during different times of treatment. It could be concluded that phosphorous administration to anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics could improve reproductive performance and restore ovarian activity at the end of spring and early summer.     

龙胆泻肝汤药理学与毒理学研究进展

龙胆泻肝汤为中医经典名方,源于清代汪昂《医方集解》,由龙胆草、黄芩、栀子、柴胡、当归、生地黄、木通、车前子、泽泻、甘草10味组成[1]。由于其疗效显著,在临床上被广泛应用。近年来对其药理学、毒理学进行了广泛研究,取得了可喜成绩。1药理学研究1.1中兽医药理论龙胆泻肝汤是以“凉肝猛将”大苦大寒的龙胆草为君,上清肝胆实火,下利三焦湿热,泻火除湿两擅其功;臣以黄芩、栀子泻火;泽泻、木通、车前子除湿,使邪出有路;佐以生地、当归养血益阴,使祛邪不伤正,燥湿不伤阴,并用柴胡疏畅肝胆。综观全方,泻中有补,利中有滋,降中寓升,祛邪不伤正,…     

Quality aspect of fish sauce prepared from underutilized fatty Japanese anchovy and rabbit fish

ABSTRACT:   To explore the potential utility of underutilized fish in the fish sauce industry, fish sauces were prepared from both raw and heat-induced meat of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonica and rabbit fish Siganus fuscescens using wheat malt, and their quality aspects and sensory properties were assessed. Proximate composition of the fish meat represents protein as the major component (16.0–17.8%), other than moisture. Analyses of free amino acids, peptides including oligopeptides, and organic acids contents in fish sauces revealed suitability of both raw and heat-induced meat of the selected species in commercial fish sauce production. The variations in taste of raw meat fish sauces were species-specific, but the taste of fish sauces from heat-induced meat were similar.     

In vivo and in vitro protein digestibility in juvenile bagrid catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier and Valenciennes 1840) fed soybean meal‐based diets

In vivo and in vitro protein digestibility of 0% to 60% soybean meal protein (SBM) substitution from fishmeal protein was conducted for bagrid catfish Mystus nemurus juveniles. Seven experimental diets containing 35% protein and 15% lipid were fed to bagrid catfish to determine the in vivo protein digestibility. In vitro methods were determined using pH stat, pH shift, spectrophotometric assay and sodium dodecyle sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) with different enzyme mixtures (crude intestinal extract of bagrid catfish, Lazo 1‐enzyme, Hsu 3‐enzyme, Saterlee 4‐enzyme). In vivo and in vitro protein digestibility decreased with increased SBM protein substitution with highest tolerance level of 10% (in vivo). pH stat and pH drop methods showed the highest degree of hydrolysis (DH) and relative protein digestibility (RPD) using Saterlee 4‐enzyme system. However, pH stat method showed highest correlations (r² = 0.9263) with the in vivo results using crude intestinal enzyme extract compared to other enzyme systems. The highest correlation of the in vitro methods using crude intestinal enzyme extracts of bagrid catfish was determined using spectrophotometric assay (r² = 0.9284) followed by pH stat (r² = 0.9263), SDS‐PAGE (r² = 0.8348) and pH drop (r² = 0.6777). All the in vitro methods tested are suitable to rapidly determine protein digestibility for bagrid catfish except for pH drop.     

Chemical synthesis of polypyrrole film and its adsorption capacity for aromatic polycarboxylic acids

Polypyrrole (PPy) film was prepared via in-situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole monomer on the surface of red-clay-brick (RCB) substrate. The deposited PPy film was characterized and used as an adsorbent for removal of benzene polycarboxylic acids from aqueous solutions. The effects of solution pH, contact time, initial concentration, and temperature on the adsorption process were systematically investigated to find the optimum operating conditions. Adsorption kinetic data were best fitted by pseudo-second order kinetic model. The adsorption equilibrium data were most represented by the Freundlich isotherm model. The maximum adsorption amounts of Trimellitic, Hemimellitic, and Pyromellitic acids were 189.27, 177.26, and 203.31 mg/g, respectively. The thermodynamic studies indicate that the adsorption was an endothermic and spontaneous process. Also, the PPy-RCB film was successfully regenerated using sodium hydroxide solution. The regenerated PPy-RCB can be reused for more than four successive cycles with a low reduction in adsorption efficiency.     

Risk factors associated with injuries in thoroughbred horses.

A case-control study was conducted on Thoroughbred horses to identify factors associated with the risk of breakdown on racetracks. A total of 310 cases (breakdowns) were identified from the Horse Identification Department records kept by the chief examining veterinarian of New York Racing Association. For each case, two control horses were selected randomly from the Daily Racing Form Inc. records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify and quantify the risk of factors associated with breakdown, while simultaneously controlling for the effect of other putative factors. Factors associated with risk of breakdown were: track (horses raced on Saratoga racetrack were at a lesser risk of breakdown), track composition/condition (turf tracks had a lower risk compared to dirt), number of seasons in race, racing in a later race, number of starts per year, the total number of starts, season (summer had a higher risk than winter or spring) and age of the horse.